Part 3/8:
Stone’s analysis suggests that once couples are married, they are likely to have children. The postponement of marriage thus directly correlates with declining birth rates since many in their thirties often do not have the same biological capacity for reproduction as those in their twenties.
The Coordination Problem
Interestingly, Stone describes the issue of delayed marriage as a “coordination problem.” Young men today are generally unable to project reliability or stability during the critical years when women typically look to settle down. The societal markers that once signaled a man’s readiness for marriage—such as homeownership or military service—have become harder to attain.